The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-10-23
THE CONSTITUTION.
The BuIwark Of Liberty.

are 10 be thanked for the speedy read
iustment and establishment OF our ma
tional affairs can hardly ever be fully
measured. But our quick restoration and
peace have been the admiration OF the
civilized world. Under heaven all peace,
Justice. and equality that the States now
enjoy are owing to the Constitution.
Moreover, the Democratic party in this
almost under the heel of black and radi-
cal rule and the tyranny Of one nnscru-
pulous man, have looked TO the guaran-
ices Of the Constitution as their only
hope.
Practically the ruling party is the
State. And against the practical and ac-
tual and oppressive tyranny Of the ruling
party. ONLY the Constitution and its
strong and irresistible guarantees are our
protection and refuge. The Constitution
guarantees not only a republican form of
Government 10 each State. but IL guar
antees to each individual of the state
certain rights that are essential TO free
citizenship and free government. 10 guar
antees the privilege Of hbeas coJpps.
trial by jury, indictment by grand jury
before trial. domestic sanciity, free re-
ligion. freedom of speech. the right TO
bear arms, no excessive bail, no duties on
Interstate commerce, Uniform taxation,
equal privileges, and immunities 10 all
citizens in every State, &c, &c.
Now what thoughtful man in this State
or i'm the United States that does not
know that each and all these rights may
be and have been imperillcd by party tyr
annyg And suppose all the machinery
of the State including the very ballot
box. 10 be in the hands of one party-and
through that party under the control of
one m3n-what is to become Of our
rights We of late, here i'm Virginia,
have trombled al the thought of such a
contingency But we have been saved
from desperation by our confidence inthe
supreme law and power of the nation.
We have known how TO distinguish be-
tween government and individuals-be-
tween The tate and the party that dOmi-
mates the State The State may directly
crush the tyrant. or hand over 90 the SUI
preme power the individuals who have
been guilty We have known how 10 re-
we're our State, our highestlOve and burn
with fiery Indignation 40 ministers who
have abused our rights and privileges.
Our thoughts have come close 90 fOrcible
resistance, and would have reached that,
but that we believed i'm the guarantees OF
the constitutions And how shall we be
saved by the Constitution Is there no
power to back constitutional guaran-
tee Is the Constitution Diere dream
Of government mere statement of our
cascg When the General Government
guarantees, il pledges all It's power, leg
islatiye. judicial, and executive 10 main
tain and enforce its guarantee.
Now the Eleventh Amendment pro-
vides, "The Judicial power of the United
States shall not De construed 90 extend 10
any suit in law or equity, commenced or
prosecuted against amy one of the United
ST ties boy citizens of another State on hy
citizens or subjects of any foreign
States" But With equal solemnity and
cearncss the Constitution provides,
"The privilege of the writ of h85on cor-
pus shall not be suspended, &c, &c. sc.
30 bin of attaindcr or ~ poyt fofto Jaw
shall be passed or Iaw impair
ing the obligation of contracts Article
VI provides. " This Constitution. and the
laws of the United States, which shall be
made In pursuance thereof, and all treat
les made, or which shall be made under
of the United States, MaN be-
the sVpremo law Of the land and the
Judges, in every State, shall be bound
thereby, anything in the constitution or
laws of any state 10 the contrary not
Withstanding.
All these things must be taken tOgeth-
er The familyo of States guarantees the
sacredness, the purity, the essential re-
puhlicauism of the safe These are
dangers that arise within the State. In
diyidual tyrants, and tyrannical parties,
using state machinery are the powers
that alone can threaten the safety of our
and the rights of individuals.
The State can do no wrong. II 10 of
tends IL is HO St0te. Individuals that
control 10 are The offenders. A law
passed by party in power against the
is NO law The aIbiter and
decarant of It's cOnsiiiutiOnaIty is the
of the Supreme Court
within his jurisdiction. Ills judgment is
final there iil reversed by he Supreme
Court Ministers of Laws that have been
declared unconstitutional are, in mat
work, not officer, of The law They can
not presume or understand than their
State means that they shall do what has
been declared unconstitutional And
every one who aids and abets i'm the eX-
ecution of a law after il has been so de-
clared. does so on his own personal re-
sponsibility He is personal offender
aud personally auswerable TO the SUE
preme law, be he Sheriff or Governor
The sovereignty and sacredncss of the
State is guaranteed against suit because
she stands for law and can DO no wrong.
because she is taken as law aud right
MISUNDERSTANDING and asking no life
but as eXempliiying and carrying out
law.
n